Does any ref deserve abuse?

One of the most sad and disheartening things about having a TikTok channel focused on referees, is coming into contact with people who believe that verbal or physical abuse of referees is somehow justified. It boggles my mind.

I simply do not understand how anyone can justify ref abuse. What kind of deranged and unhinged person must you be to believe that a decision in a GAME often played by children is grounds to physically or verbally attack or try to intimidate another human being? 

Some people try and justify their abuse saying that it may influence a referee in their favor. Actually, the only decision you are likely to influence is the referee deciding to never stop on a pitch again. Abuse from players, fans and coaches is the #1 reasons referees choose to leave the game for good. 

Others will say, "it's just words. Get a thicker skin and deal with it." What they seem to forget is that words often leads to actions, What begins as 1 person yelling dissent, turns into an angry mob that builds on each others animosity. All too often, these emotions manifest into physical attacks that can affect officials physically and mentally for the rest of their lives. 

Lastly, some people justify this abuse by saying that it is lighthearted fun for them. it's a release of stress that they have built up from other areas of their lives. Their just having a laugh by hurling abuse at the referee. This is simply childish and SELFISH. They need to take responsibility for their actions and understand that their joy shouldn't come at the expense of someone else's pain.